been sent. To Herod Antipas, who reigned in Galilee; it was he who beheaded John the Baptist, and to whom Pilate sent Jesus during His trial: and to Philip, who reigned over Ituræa, &c.; regions on the east side of Jordan. Abilene, in Cole-Syria, was, on the death of Herod, given to Lysanias, a descendant of a former proprietor, from whom it had been taken away by Antony. OCTOBER 11,-AFTERNOON LESSON. MOUNT SINAI.-Exodus xix. SUMMARY.-This chapter describes the preparation made at Mount Sinai for the giving of the Ten Commandments. God offers to make Israel His peculiar people, and they pledge themselves to obedience. The Lord informs Moses of His descent, and instructs him to prepare for it by sanctifying the people, and by setting bounds about the mount. On the third day God descends with circumstances of terrible grandeur; calls Moses up into the mount, and sends him down to warn again the people not to break through the bounds that had been set unto them. I. ARRIVAL AT SINAI.-V. 1, 2. Third month,-after their departure. The same day, -as that on which they left Egypt, namely, the fifteenth; or, else, the same day of the month, i. e., the third. Sinai.-See Illustration. Rephidim. See Morning Lesson for September 13. Before the mount,-the pillar of cloud having led them thither, as God said to Moses, chap. iii. 12. II. GOD'S COVENANT WITH THE PEOPLE.-V. 3-8. Went up,-probably the cloud had withdrawn to the top of the mountain. And, for the Lord, &c. Jacob..and.. Israel,-natural descendants of the patriarch, and chosen to see God face to face, and be blessed of Him, as he was, Gen. xxxii. 28-30. V.4. Have seen,-you need no recital or proof of it. Eagles' wings.-The eagle carries her young ones on her wings, and soars high with them, to bear them out of danger: thus this phrase denotes the loving care and strong protection of God during His people's escape and journeying. Unto Myself,-to live under My government, to be My special charge. V. 5. If ye will obey,-this was the simple condition, but to be strictly enforced. Covenant,-the statutes and precepts contained in it. A peculiar treasure, -as a costly possession, very dear to Me; more highly prized and cared for than all others, though they also are Mine. V. 6. Of priests, -a royal body, consecrated to promote My gracious designs among men. Holy,-by separation from all others, 1 Peter ii. 5, 9; Rev. i. 6. V. 7. Elders,—that they might convey the words severally to the tribes of which they were the heads. Before their faces,-plainly told and taught them what God said. V. 8. Together, in chorus, as with one voice, to express their hearty and unanimous willingness. Moses returned,-into the mount, with the answer of the people. -- III. INSTRUCTION AND PREPARATION. —V. 9—15. A thick cloud, darker than that which had gone before them, so that they should see nothing but flashes of lightning out of it. Believe thee for ever, as acting under My special authority in guiding and governing them. Moses told,-or, had told, &c., so that God declared He would speak to them. V. 10. Sanctify,-by making them separate themselves from all common employments and ordinary plea sures. And wash,-not only because necessary in itself, but as a symbol of their need of inward cleansing. V. 11. Be ready, &c.-Two whole days were allowed for their purification; on the morning of the third they were to be fully prepared for the terrible sight of the Divine descent. V. 12. Set bounds, -"to keep the people at a due distance, out of a just reverence to the Divine Majesty." Take heed, &c.-A solemn caution, enforced by the threat of a fearful penalty, in order to impress the people with awe of the Divine Majesty. Not an hand touch,—not "it," but him; i. e., the man who dares to break through, he shall be killed from a distance by stones or darts. Soundeth long, -18 drawn out much longer than usual. To the mount,-to the foot of it, v. 17. V. 14. Sanctified the people, manded them to sanctify themselves. com IV. "THE MOUNT THAT BURNED WITH FIRE."-V. 16-20. These verses give a graphic description of the glorious. manifestation of God: the symbols of His presence were terrible. A dark cloud, from which fierce lightnings flashed and thunders rolled; and a trum pet, whose loud, long blast pierced the soul with terror; the effect was great, well-nigh overwhelming the mount itself shook, the people trembled, and Moses spake, v. 19, and Heb. xii. 21. The people stood at the nether,-at the lowest point of the mount; God came down to the top of it, and the distance between was covered with thick darkness. V. GOD'S SOLEMN CHARGE REPEATED. -V. 21-25. Charge, (Margin, "contest,")-strive with the people, lest they yield to their curiosity, and disobey. The priests.- Aaron and his sons were not yet appointed, and these were probably persons who had been recognised priests among the Israelites in Egypt. V. 23. The people cannot, &c.-It is absolutely forbidden, and barriers fixed to prevent them. V. 24. Away, get thee down, &c.-God saw, what Moses did not, that the people were strongly inclined to break through. Lest, &c.For He will surely fulfil His threat. V. 25. And spake, reminding them of the Divine prohibition, and the penalty they would certainly suffer if they dared to disregard it. REFLECTIONS.-1. God's mercies are meant to bring us into the bond of His covenant.-Here, God reminds the people of the rich favours He had shown them, and then says, "Now, therefore," &c., v. 5; so St. Paul, Rom. xii. 1. 2. No higher privilege can be enjoyed than that of being a "peculiar treasure to God.-Yet this privilege may be ours. Should we not seek to attain it? 3. Men need proof upon proof of the authority of those who are sent to them by God.-God gives yet another to Moses in the mount, v. 9. 4. We should never appear before God for worship and instruction without previous preparation.-He says to us, "Wash you,' &c., Isai. i. 16-18; see also Psalm xxiv. 3-5. "" 5. God reveals Himself to us, not in terrible grandeur, but in the glory of goodness.—Heb. xii. 22—24. 6. Nothing should tempt us to brave God's warnings. Curiosity and excitement together are very potent to make us forget ourselves; but the voice of the Lord should always subdue us, and save us from folly. QUESTIONS.-How long had the Israelites been out of Egypt? Where did they come from to Sinai? How had God borne them? v. 4. What did He promise them? On what condition? Did the people consent? Why did God say He would speak to Moses? v. 9. What were the people to do? How was Moses to keep them from the mount? What was to happen to those who dared to "break through?" How did God come down? v. 18. What was the appearance of Mount Sinai? What was the effect on the people and Moses? What did the Lord answer Moses? Why did He send him down again? What were the priests to do? Illustration.-"MOUNT SINAI." See v. 1 and 18. Mount Sinai is called by the Arabs, Jebel Musa, "the mountain of Moses" it is the central peak of a range having three summits. "Near this range there are two plains, which furnish space enough for a large encampment." "Sinai falls towards the south, for about two thousand feet, into low granite hills, and then into a large plain, which is about sixteen hundred feet broad, and nearly five miles long, and rises like an amphitheatre opposite to the mountain, both on the south and east. It is a plain that seems made to accommodate a large number gathered round the foot of the mountain." OCTOBER 18.-MORNING LESSON. WE LIVE UNTO THE SUMMARY.-In this chapter the Apostle states two vital truths: that we live under the scrutiny of God, and are responsible to Him; and that true religion is, not any outward observance, but "righteousnesa, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." From these truths he teaches that we should neither judge nor despise one another in things not essential; but in all things should live in charity, seek peace, and so act as, if possible, to give no offence to any one. as a Jew, he lived before he became a Christian. Eateth herbs,-only; so as to be secure against touching meats offered to idols. V. 3. Despise him,66 'as over scrupulous and superstitious." Judge him, "As profane, or taking undue liberties." Received him,- as His own by grace, through faith in Christ, Acts xv. 7-9. V. 4. Who art thou? &c.-Thou art not his lord and master on these questions. His own Master,-God. Standeth, &c.,-is approved, or condemned. Holden up,stablished, so as not to fall into condemnation. Is able, through the light of God's wisdom and the strength of His grace. V. 5. Esteemeth,- -considers, in the use of his judgment. One day,-as, e. g., that on which a Jewish festival was held. Every day,-sacred to God. Let every man,-keep a clear conscience as to his own conduct, v. 22, 23. V. 6. Regardeth,- "observeth" as peculiarly holy. Unto the Lord,seeking to glorify God by his pious observance. That regardeth not, &c.Acts from a principle of conscience," believing that God does not require any special observance of it. Eateth not,-flesh. Giveth God thanks,- for 66 his herbs. II. GOD IS JUDGE HIMSELF.-V. 7-12. None of us,whatever his views and practices. To himself,—his own will is not his supreme law. Dieth, &c.,- has no power to fix his own destiny. V. 8 teaches that in life we are under the watchful eye of God, who notes down all we do, and in death are in His hands for judgment. V. 9. To this end,- this was the design of God. Revived,-fully restored to life. Of the dead,-now to keep and rule their separated spirits, and hereafter to judge them and award their doom. And living,-to save and govern them. V. 10. Why judge..or set at nought,"despise ?" We cannot benefit each other thus, and it is folly, because our judgments may be overthrown, and our contempt of others may return on our own heads. For we shall all, &c.-Acts x. 42; 2 Cor. v. 10; so 1 Cor. iv. 3, 4. V. 11. It is written,-Isai. xlv. 23. V. 12. So then,-since God has said this, and given Christ for this very purpose. Of himself,-of his own words and actions. likely to hurt ourselves than to help others. Judge this rather, consider this as a far more Christian and sensible course. A stumblingblock,—by making him do as thou doest against his conscience. An occasion,-to hate thee for what thou doest. V. 14. By the Lord Jesus,-through the knowledge He has revealed to me, Gal. i. 11-17. Nothing,-neither meat, nor herbs, nor anything. To him it is unclean, so long as he believes it is forbidden by God. V. 15. Grieved,thinking thee unscrupulous, licentious. Not charitably. Margin: "according to charity," or the rule of love. Destroy not, &c.-Do not value thy meat more than thy brother's soul, or more than Christ valued His life, 1 Cor. viii. 11. V. 16. Your good,-your lawful liberty. Evil spoken of,-be blamed for being the occasion of mischief to others, Gal. v. 13. V.17. Kingdom of God,-true, soulsaving piety. Not meat, &c.-Neither eating and drinking without scruple, nor abstinence, is in itself a proof of superior piety. Righteousness, "the image of God stamped on the heart." V. 18. In these things,-which alone are vital and precious. Serveth, obeyeth. Acceptable,- whether he be a scrupulous Jew or unceremonious Gentile. Approved,- -as living in the spirit of Christ. V. 19. The high purpose of every Christian life should be to promote peace, and so provide for the building up of the Church in faith and love. V. 20. Who eateth with offence,-either to his own conscience or to his Christian brother. V. 21. Stumbleth,-by rashly imitating thee. Offended, shocked and "grieved" at thy free indulgence. Made weak, by being kept in doubt as to what is right and what is wrong. V. 22. Faith,-v. 1. To thyself," do not offend others by it." That condemneth not, &c.,- by excessive indulgence in that which he deems to be pure in itself. V. 23. Doubteth,- See Margin. Damned,is condemned by himself, and will be by God. If he eat,-what he feels he ought not. Whatsoever "a man does without a full persuasion of its lawfulness, it is sin to him." REFLECTIONS.-1. Clear, correct views of the essential nature of religion are very necessary to guard us against error.-We must plainly distinguish between what is religion, and what may or may not belong to it, v. 17; ch. ii. 28, 29. 2. Christianity allows much scope for the gratification of man's tastes in the outward forms and observances of religion. -If we do everything "to the Lord," we are not likely to be condemned. 3. Wranglings about what is not essential hinder the spread of religion itself. 4. How wise it would be of us always to live with a constant reference to the judgment-seat of Christ!-It would save Illustration.-"HIM THAT EATETH NOT." See v. 3. "These were probably Christians of Jewish birth, who so feared lest they should (without knowing it) eat meat which had been offered to idols, or was otherwise ceremonially unclean, (which might easily happen in such a place as Rome,) that they abstained from meat altogether. Thus Josephus mentions some Jewish priests who from such conscientious scruples, abstained while prisoners in Rome from all animal food. So Daniel and his fellow-captives in Babylon refused the King's meat and wine, and ate pulse alone, that they might not defile themselves (Dan, i. 8—12).”—Conybeare and Howson. SUMMARY.-The people having been fully prepared and cautioned again, God Himself, in solemn state and form, gives the Ten Commandments. The sight of the mount and the sound of the Divine voice alarm the people; they entreat that Moses may stand between them and God, and speak to them in the name of the Lord. Moses encourages them, and receives fresh instruction from God, with a blessed promise. I. THE FIRST TABLE OF COMMANDMENTS.-V. 1-11. God spake, not by Moses, but Himself directly to the people, v. 19; Deut. v. 4. All these,TEN WORDS, or commandments: the first four, called the first table, teach us our duty towards God; the other six, called the second table, teach our duty towards our neighbour. V. 2 declares His sovereign supremacy: the LORD,-Jehovah, the everliving One: thy God, and His claims upon their love and obedience, founded on what He has done for them: which have brought, &c. V. 3. Before Me, beyond Me, or, as rivals with Me, or in addition to Me, as minor gods. V. 4. Graven image, carved out of gold or silver, wood or stone, Acts xvii. 29. Likeness,-painting or picture. Hea ven above, &c.,- Compare Deut. iv. 15 -19. V. 5. Not bow down,-not make even a sign of respect or worship. Jealous,-not only as the Supreme, but as the Only God. Visiting,-to punish. Iniquity, idol, or image, worship. Upon the children,-who will suffer at least those temporal evils which flow from idolatry; as to other consequences, see Ezek. xviii. 14-17. V. 6. Unto thousands, &c.- See how God's mercy abounds! Only the third and fourth generation will suffer through their father's sin, but thousands of generations will be blessed with mercy, as being the descendants of them that love, &c. V. 7. In vain,-in a light, frivolous way, or for a profane or wicked purpose. Guiltless,- "not leave him unpunished." V. 8. Remember, this word shows that the Sabbath-day had been appointed before, Gen. ii. 2, 3. Holy,-by abstaining from all ordinary labour, pleasure, &c., Isai. lviii. 13, 14. V. 10. The seventh.-We now keep the first, because on it the Saviour rose from the dead. Thy stranger,- any proselyte to the Jewish religion, or foreign labourer, Neh. xiii. 16—19. V. 11. In six days.-Gen. i. Hallowed it,-to His own worship and service. by II. THE SECOND TABLE OF COMMANDMENTS. V. 12-17. Honour, rendering them affectionate respect, cheerful obedience, and, if needful, care and help, Lev. xix. 3; Eph. vi. 1—3. May be long, &c.-A double promise: long life and secure possession of the Promised Land. V. 13. Compare Matt. v. 21-26. V. 14. Compare Matt. v. 27-32. V. 15. Not steal,-not even the value of goods, by injuring them, Deut. xxii. 1-4; Eph. iv. 28. False witness,-saying what is not true of him, either in court to convict him wrongly, or in society to damage his character and business. V. 17. Not covet, so far from actually stealing, thou shalt not foster the desire to possess anything that is thy neighbour's, -whether living near or far away: thy fellow-man's. V. 16. 66 sen III. THE PEOPLE STAND IN AWE.V. 18-21. Saw,- and heard, sibly perceived," and witnessed. Afar off-retreated from the mount, rather than pressed towards it, ch. xix. 21; Deut. v. 24, 25. V. 19. We will hear,as though thy voice were the voice of God. V. 20. Fear not,-for your lives. To prove you, &c.,-to test, impress, instruct you that His fear may restrain you from sin, and constrain you to obey Him always. V. 21. And so the people, &c.,-in compliance with the command of God, Deut. v. 30, 31. IV. THE DIVINE PRESENCE PROMISED.-V. 22-24. Seen,-perceived by the thunderings, &c., that it was I that talked, &c. V. 23 is an explanation of the first and second commandments. V 24 concerns the worship of God in its form and blessedness. Record," wherever I am worshipped." I will come, &c.-ch. xxix. 42—44; Matt. xviii. 20. REFLECTIONS.-1. We may be guilty of idolatry without worshipping gold or silver images. Any thing we love more than God is an "idol in our heart; (Ezek. xiv. 4;) the rich man's god was his costly clothing and sumptuous food, Luke xvi. 19. 2. The piety of parents is a rich blessing to their children, v. 6.-They who have a godly father, or a praying mother, should be very thankful. 3. We should never use the name of God without reverence both of soul and speech.-"God is a name my soul adores! Hymn 568. 4. The fifth commandment is one we should never forget to obey and keep.Prov. i. 8, 9. QUESTIONS.-How does God commend His authority to us? What is the first commandment? the second? third? fourth? What are these called? What do they teach us? What is the fifth? Why ought we specially to remember it? What is the sixth? seventh? eighth? ninth? tenth? Illustration.-"AND MY TONGUE FROM EVIL-SPEAKING." See v. "Good name, in man or woman, Is the immediate jewel of their souls. Who steals my purse steals trash; But he that filches from me my good name, OCTOBER 25.-MORNING LESSON. GOOD STATUTES.-Exodus xxii. 22-31; xxiii. 1–9. SUMMARY.-The moral law of God, which was the subject of our Lesson last Sunday afternoon, is exceeding broad; every commandment comprehends in itself many lesser ones. God condescendingly gave to the Jews, and through them to us, several of these more precise, particular precepts. As to those before us now, the title of the Lesson is very suitable: they are, indeed, "good statutes." I. CONCERNING WIDOWS, ORPHANS, AND THE POOR. Ch. xxii. 22-27. Afflict,-by insult, or injury to their persons, or perversion of judgment. |